Hearing God’s Voice

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

To many the Bible may seem like a foreign language. There may be no real desire in reading it nor do some people see a need to read it. When I say this I am not talking always about atheists but some even who are ‘church goers’. 

Just going to church doesn’t make you born again and a Christian. In fact many who claim to know Jesus don’t have a heart knowledge of him or a real passion for him. It is at this point I say that consider maybe you have not really developed a personal relationship with Him. You can have that if you truly desire it. 

Once you ask Jesus to be Lord of your life and really start to seek Him,  scripture will indeed be important and start to come alive to you. Don’t judge others but pray for them. Be a light in the world around you for those who may not know Jesus. Be prepared to tell others about Him. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord Jesus I remember when I was blind to the real word of God and what it held for me then one day I came alive and wanted more. I pray that for those I know who may be spiritually dead that their hearts will desire more. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a song of worship to go along with this devotion. 

https://youtu.be/aGuVTDB5hVc

What Is Good About Good Friday?

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:44-46

Have you ever wondered how the day Jesus was brutally executed came to be known as ‘Good Friday’? I have pondered this myself and really don’t have an answer except that maybe it was good in that He knew what was in store three days later. 

The whole idea of Jesus knowing and preparing to be hung on a cross as an innocent man is just mind boggling. Those who hated Him truly hated Him just as today there are many skeptics and God haters running amuck on planet Earth. Guess what? Jesus loves each one of them and cares for them. How is that possible? It is supernatural and you can be the same way and able to love if you allow the Holy Spirit to transform you.

So as you prepare to think about this day and what occurred over 2018 years ago think about the immense love your savior has for you. Don’t be sad. Be happy that He arose three days later and is wanting a personal relationship with you. Give him your concerns. Cry out to Him. If you ever have a bad day think about this day as his ultimate bad day then stop whining. 

PRAYER: Lord your love for mankind is immense and unfathomable. Help me do my part to help to shine your love on those around me who are hurting. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

How Is Your Root System?

Pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the LORD's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:16-18

In order to have good crops and plants there needs to be a sturdy healthy root system. If any diseases get into the soil and are not dealt with the crops could succumb. Also water is vital and nutrients to help the roots get established and strong.

Your life in Christ is like a root system as well. Your roots should go down deep into spiritual soil so you can withstand the attacks and storms of life that are certain to come your way. The more you immerse yourself daily in the truths in the word of God the less you are apt to fall prey to the devil’s schemes to dig you out of God’s soil and out you on a compost heap of sorts.

How are your roots today? Are you able to weather storms such as death, sickness, abandonment, rejection, or do you cave in and get mad blaming God?

PRAYER: I choose to stay focused and positive and not allow this world and its’ pollution and lies to kill off my spiritual root system. I choose to daily stay connected to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Flourishing Or Wilting?

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, Psalm 92:12-14

I am not a very good gardener and some close to me can attest to that. I need plants that need minimal care in order to survive. If I was like that in my spiritual life I would wilt and die spiritually speaking. Thankfully I have my ‘fertilizer’ to apply daily to keep growing in Christ. 

The fertilizer I am speaking of is the Bible, God’s word. It is not to be applied sparingly but you are to give yourself a good dose daily in order to combat the world’s weeds that try to choke out its’ truth. The enemy rules the carnal nature and tries to trip us up on a regular basis. Lies and evil are commonly accepted nowadays because of how Satan has deceived many. Don’t fall prey and become a wilted plant in God’s garden. 

Today get into the book of Psalms. Try reading it out loud. Ask God to reveal His truths to you. Say out loud, “Satan get behind me you have no place in my life or any of my families life!” Get rid of detractors in your life that will attempt to get you back into the devils patch of noxious weeds. Keep applying ‘God’s plant food’ daily that being the word of God!

PRAYER: I love your word and there are times I just get off course and forget my priorities that being daily time with you reading and praying and soaking in your truth. I choose this day to make you a priority. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

You’re Not Worried?

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22

In the Hollywood movie Bridge of Spies the Russian Spy who was going to be released in a prisoner exchange for an American Pilot held captive was asked when he was about to be released “Are you worried?”to which his response was “would it help?” Indeed that is a very wise answer. The answer of course is NO it does not help, never has and never will. 

I got a chuckle from that reply because you and I both know that worrying is good for nothing except ulcers, high blood pressure,insomnia, and wrong thinking. Why is it so hard to pray then let God be in charge? You have to focus on things to bring peace not fear. Even if a bad thing happens that is not the end of the story. Life goes on. 

Try to not strike out on your own to figure things out. I have done that and truly it will make you sick. Guess who wins then? Satan. Tell Satan he is not going to cause you fear because you trust in God. 

PRAYER: Oh to stop worrying how glorious indeed that would be. Pass one test and another pops up. I choose to break this stronghold of worry and not let the enemy have control of me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Leave It At The Cross

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

Lay it down and leave it! I am referring to problems causing fretting in your life. Maybe past failures.  Stop worrying. Believe. Trust God. Preaching to myself here as well.

One of the neatest things I have experienced was being able to go forward to a wooden cross at a retreat and pin my concerns to the cross. The point is to abide in Jesus and leave them at the cross. Let Jesus have them. Don’t take them back. Too many of us do that.

Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. The cross symbolizes all He did for us. Can you give Him your problems and let them go? Ask God to empower you to break the worry and fear stronghold keeping you from leaving it all at the cross.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father it is so easy to fall back into old bad habits of fear, worry, and doubt. You care about me and those I am praying for more than I do. Help me remember that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Earthly Possessions

“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19

What to grab when you need to evacuate be it from a fire, tornado, mudslide, or tsunami that is the question. With tornado’s and severe storms in our ‘tornado alley’ farm recently we were faced with that question. What about my stuff?

When life and death are in question you certainly don’t go after all your earthly possessions. So we got three metal lock boxes, checkbooks, address book, laptops, Bible, devotion book, a couple of pictures, wallet, purse and oh yes much to his dismay, our cat, and down into the concrete hole we went. What is truly important to you?  All the things you think you need to be happy can’t be taken with you if only you have seconds to decide. Ponder what is really important for a few moments. 

The answer never is material but what is important would be relationships and just life in general. Rust consumes, fires burn and leave ashes behind, and you can’t drag the contents of your home into Heaven. Think about what you value in life. Be thankful for what your blessings are and never take them for granted. 

PRAYER: I am so grateful for the blessings of good health, family, and life in general. I am thankful for freedom, for my Bible, and for friends. Help me be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.